History of the Eighth Illinois United States Volunteers
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4* HISTORY **> OF THE JEiQbtb ITlUnotsXllmteo States Volunteers BY HARRY STANTON McCARD, B. S., HOSPITAL STEWARD, EIGHTH ILLINOIS U. S. VOLUNTEERS, AND HENRY TURNLEY , HOSPITAL STEWARD, EIGHTH ILLINOIS U. S. VOLUNTEERS. 1890. E. F HARMAN & CO., PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO. Governor John R. Tanner Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/historyofeighthilOOmcca John R. Tanner, the able and fearless executive of the great State of Illinois, who believes and who has the courage of his convictions, that it is the heart, the brain, the soul, not the skin, that go to determine manhood; who, acting upon this belief and upon the fundamental principle of this government that " taxation without representation is tyranny," had the manhood to appoint colored officers to com- mand a Colored Regiment, this book is affectionally dedicated BY THE AUTHORS. Colonel John K. Marshall COL. JOHN R. MARSHALL JOHN R. MARSHALL was born at Alexandria, Va., March 15, 1859. He was edu- Qj cated in the public schools of Alexandria, Va., and Washington, D. C. At the age of 16 he was apprenticed to the bricklayers trade, serving four years, until 1879, when he came to Chicago In 1 89 s he was appointed a deputy clerk in the County Clerk's office and held that position until he received his call to the front. Col. Marshall took an active part in the organization of the Ninth Battalion in 1891, be : ng elected Second Lieutenant, Company A in May, and First Lieutenant in July of the same year. In 1893 he was chosen Captain of his Company by an unanimous vote, and held that rank until he received his Colonel's commission in June, 1898. In Cuba he made an enviable record. He early gained the confidence and respect of his General and soon proved that this confidence was not misplaced. Lenient and just he has always been. Always a Colonel, but never too busy nor too dignified to listen to complaints of his soldiers. Affectation and arrogance are entirely foreign to hirh, but pride for his race and respect for himself and his position gave him a gentlemanly, soldierly bearing that always found favor with all officers of rank with whom he came in contact. He never knew personal fear, and when Governor Tanner submitted the proposition to him to send his regiment to relieve the First Illinois, he quickly gave his consent. As a Commander he was a pronounced success, clearly demonstrating the wisdom of Gov. Tanner in appointing him to the Colonelcy, justifying the contention of the black troops that they should be led by black officers. By his soldierly conduct he has met all of the expectations of his friends and silenced the tongues of his calumniators. He has performed all of his duties with credit to himself and honor to to his race. Lieutenant Colonel James H. Johnson LIEUT. COL. JAMES H. JOHNSON JAMES H. JOHNSON was born in Washington, D. C, where he received a good literary education. In 1880, he enlisted for five years in the Ninth U. S. Cavalry, and during his service made a brilliant record. He gained a sharpshooter's medal, and here laid the founda- tion for his future success as a commander. For several years succeeding his army experience he was engaged in the railroad business, and in 1888 he located in Chicago, where he has since resided. In i8o,i,he joined the Ninth Battalion as a private. Soon after he became First Sergeant of Company A, and in 1892, upon the recommendation of his commander, he was appointed Adjutant of the Battalion. If in years to come, should he be commissioned a General and do gallant service, he would still be called Adjutant Johnson, so brilliant was his record while holding that position. Small of stature; quiet and unassuming in appearance; always methodical and energetic, he contributed more to the growth of the Battalion than even his best friends imagine. When the Eighth Regiment was mustered into the service he received the commission of Lieutenant Colonel, a place conceded to him by all factions, and by all people. If the question be asked, what is Colonel Johnson's distinguishing characteristics, the answer would invariably be, "he is a soldier, and a man." "Method " is his watchword, and perse- vering he has always been. As a tactician he has few equals, even in the regular army. He knows the regulations not to inflict punishment, but to be right and to be just. '.1 Major Robert R. Jackson MAJOR ROBERT R. JACKSON. ROBERT R. JACKSON was born Sept. i, 1869, in Malta, 111. When but a year old he was brought to Chicago by his parents, and when twelve years of age he was a graduate of the grammar school. As a boy he held various positions with large mercantile and pro- fessional firms, proving himself competent in every position he held. In December, 1888, he entered the Postal Service as a stamper, and by competitive examinations he received successive promotions until he became foreman of Station M, during Colonel Sexton's administration. Various secret and fraternal societies claim him as a member, and in 1896 he was elected Adjutant- General on the Major-Geneial's staff of the Knights of Pythias. In 1895, the name of Private Robert R. Jackson appeared on the rolls of Company D of the Ninth Battalion, but it was soon changed to Captain Robert R.Jackson. Upon entering the United States service, he was commissioned Major of the Second Battalion, and into that position he threw that zeal and magnetism which gave success to him so early in life. Soon after landing in Cuba he was ordered on detached service to Palma Soriano in command of Companies E and F. At this post he became Major of the city, protector of the Spanish residents and mediator of all disputes that arose amongst the inhabitants. Stationed as he was, immediately after the war, in a city containing many Spanish in- habitants and connected with the Regiment neither by railroad nor telegsaph, Major Jackson's position was indeed a trying one. But his diplomacy won the day, and when the order came recalling him to his Regiment, it was with genuine regret that the men of his command and the citizens saw him go. After rejoining the Regiment at San Luis he did splendid work, and returned to his home with nothing but bright marks on his record. 11 Maior Franklin A. Denison MAJOR FRANKLIN A. DENISON. F^RANKLIN AUGUSTUS DENISON was born at San Antonio, Texas, in 1862. He 1 obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of that city, preparing himself to enter Lincoln University. He entered Lincoln University in 1883, graduating from that institution as honor man in 1888. His commencement oration was considered a gem of ora- tory. In 1888 he entered the Union College of Law in Chicago, graduating in 1890 as vale- dictorian. Mayor Hempstead Washburn appointed him Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in 1891, and was reappointed by Carter H. Harrison, Sr., John P. Hopkins and Geo. B. Swift. He is one of the most successful colored lawyers practicing at the Chicago bar. During the major portion of his time in the service in Cuba he was one of the Judges of the Court of Claims sitting at Santiago. General Lawton appointed Major Den i son President of a General Court-Martial, being the only colored man ever appointed to such a position. He performed his duties in such a dignified, competent manner that he gained the praise of every one with whom he was associated. His work undoubtedly did a great deal to create among the officers of the other regiments, a favorable opinion of the colored officers of the Eighth. Of noble figure and commanding voice, Franklin A. Denison wore well the straps of a Major. 13 Major Allen A. Wesley. Surgeon MAJOR ALLEN A. WESLEY SURGEON LLEN ALEXANDER WESLEY son of Edward Edrington and Elizabeth Ann (Davis) / V Wesley, was born September 25, 1856, at Dublin, Ind. He was educated in the com- mon schools of Cincinnati ; at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. Chicago ; and was graduated A. B. from Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn., in 1884. He commenced the study of medicine in 1870, with Dr. William Mussey of Cincinnati, and later took a three years' course of study at the Northwestern University Medical School and received the degree of M. D. from the same in 1887. Dr. Wesley has been a practitioner in Chicago since the year of his graduation. He was clinical assistant of the late Walter Hay, M. D., LL. D., in the department of mental and nervous diseases, Chicago Medical College, 1885-89; clinical assistant to Prof. R. N. Isham, in the department of surgery of the same college, i886-'88; lectured on "Surgical Emergencies" in Provident Training School; district county physician for Cook county in Chicago. Dr. Wesley was gynecologist to the Provident Hospital, of which he was one of the founders, and was appointed surgeon-in-charge in 1894, and secretary to the medical staff. In May, he entered the Illinois National Guard, when it was certain that the United States would have war with Spain, and went to Springfield with the Eighth Regiment. There he examined all who applied for enlistment in the Eighth and Ninth Regiments. The commission of Major and Surgeon was given him July 2, 1898, and soon after his arrival in Cuba he was placed in charge of the hospital at San Euis by General E. P. Ewers as Acting Brigade Surgeon.